Gods of Chaos

The Chaos Gods, also called the Dark Gods or the Ruinous Powers, are powerful beings of the psychic universe known as the Warp, created and sustained by the emotions and souls of every living being of the material universe. Although they are god-like beings, they are by their nature monomaniacal and completely single-minded (formed completely of a single emotion or concept) as well as being completely dependent on the emotions of mortal creatures for their power and continued existence.

Gods are able to devote a fraction of their power to create daemons, whose appearance and character reflect the god's own nature. These daemons may be reabsorbed into the god at whim. The least of the minor gods may be so limited in their power that expending their power to create a daemon means their entire power is expended; in effect, the god becomes a daemon.

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Origins

In the early history of the galaxy, the powers of the Warp had yet to form into distinct entities. At this time, the emotions of mortals flowed and ebbed as water does in a stream. As the mortal races grew and prospered, so did the strength of their emotions. Eventually, the gods grew to such a point where they could act independently of the general flow of emotions and thus became the Gods of Chaos. They reached into the dreams of mortals and demanded praise and servitude in order to increase their own power, as the of more one emotion is exhibited (in both thought and action) the stronger that god becomes.[1]

The first three gods became sentient by the end of M2 but Slaanesh didn't fully awaken until the Fall of the Eldar in M29.

Followers

The Chaos Gods' most devoted followers are known as Champions, spiritually bound to their patrons. Chaos Champions are rewarded with 'gifts' unique to each god and the potential blessing of ascension to a Daemon Prince.

When a follower of a Chaos God dies, their soul is absorbed into the greater mass of that god, adding its energy to the already formidable power of that god.[1]

Daemons

A Daemon is a creature formed from a fragment of a Chaos God's consciousness. They form the armies of the Chaos Gods, and frequently battle the armies of other gods and unbelievers on the material plane.

Relationships between the gods

The gods are rivals of each other - the constant war between them mirrors the struggle between their followers in the material universe, and vice versa. Victory in mortal battles lends more power to the relevant god, although often victory is not necessary, just the shedding blood and sacrifice is required.[1]

The Chaos Gods are almost constantly at war with one another within the Warp, vying for power amid the immaterial planes. Despite their myriad differences, the Great Gods of Chaos have the same goal: total domination. Such absolute power cannot be shared - especially amongst gods. This struggle for dominance is known as the Great Game.[3]

Other Chaos Gods

The warp has created many nameless chaos gods, only to die with the passing of aeons.[5]

The TauFourth Sphere of Expansion is believed to have been saved in the Warp by a possible Chaos God created in their image. However the Tau of the Fourth Sphere believe that the Auxiliaries with their fleet were responsible for the beings creation, and that it is in fact a perversion created from their perception of the Greater Good. The creature is described as five-fingered, many-armed, and adhering to the concepts of the Greater Good.[7]